Public opinion on government spending

Μια ενδιαφέρουσα έρευνα της αμερικανικής και της ευρωπαϊκής κοινής γνώμης σχετικά με την άποψη που έχει το κοινό για τα επίπεδα των κυβερνητικών δαπανών. Δημοσιεύθηκε στο "The Economist online" στις 15.9.2011.

Splurge or slash?

 How do the public feel about current levels of government spending?

VIEWS on the best way to deal with the rich-world’s debt problems vary across its countries, according to the latest annual survey of American and European public opinion by the German Marshall Fund, a think-tank. The poll shows clear support for austerity over stimulus in the rich world. That may be because announced austerity plans have yet to kick in: Britain is an exception to this, and there views seem to be more finely balanced. The biggest change in sentiment can be seen in the euro area. In 2009 only 8% of Italians thought their government was spending too much compared to 49% who now want it cut. In Portugal and Spain nearly one-third of those asked two years ago thought that too little was being spent, an opinion now held by only a fraction of that.